Washington: As one political analyst observed, Donald Trump’s only predictable trait is his unpredictability.
The US President showed his colours again on Friday, warning Russia that he was considering “large-scale banking sanctions, sanctions and tariffs” on Vladimir Putin’s country amid the three-year long war in Ukraine.
Condemning Russia’s ‘pounding’ of Ukraine, Trump urged both warring nations to hold talks.
“Based on the fact that Russia is absolutely ‘pounding’ Ukraine on the battlefield right now, I am strongly considering large scale Banking Sanctions, Sanctions, and Tariffs on Russia until a Cease Fire and FINAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT ON PEACE IS REACHED. To Russia and Ukraine, get to the table right now, before it is too late. Thank you!!! – President Donald J. Trump,” the President wrote on his social media platform Truth Social.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent earlier said the US won’t hesitate to go “all in” on sanctions on Russian energy if it helps lead to a ceasefire in the Ukraine war.
The US and European nations have already imposed sanctions on Russia’s economy, including its banks, over its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Trump recently paused all military aid to Ukraine following his ‘live’ clash with President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House.
“President has been clear that he is focused on peace. We need our partners to be committed to that goal as well. We are pausing and reviewing our aid to ensure that it is contributing to a solution,” a White House official told Reuters.
The ‘pounding’ Trump spoke about refers to Russia’s latest attack targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in a large-scale missile and drone bombardment during Thursday night, AP reported.
At least 10 people, including a child, were wounded, authorities said.
“Russia is trying to hurt ordinary Ukrainians by striking energy and gas production facilities, without abandoning its goal of leaving us without light and heat, and causing the greatest harm to ordinary citizens,” Ukraine’s Energy minister Herman Halushchenko wrote on Facebook.
